Paraphrasing Plagiarism Quiz

1. Original: "The company's groundbreaking technological innovation drastically altered consumer habits nationwide." Which paraphrase is plagiarized?

A technological innovation by the company drastically altered consumer habits nationwide.

The company’s new technology significantly changed the way people buy things across the country.

Because of the company’s new device, consumer habits in the nation changed dramatically.

An important, original technology from the firm changed customer spending habits across the country.

Option A retains the exact sentence structure and several key phrases (drastically altered consumer habits nationwide), only changing one word. This is insufficient rewording and counts as plagiarism.

Explanation

Option A retains the exact sentence structure and several key phrases (drastically altered consumer habits nationwide), only changing one word. This is insufficient rewording and counts as plagiarism.

2. Plagiarism occurs if you use a source's idea without a proper citation or if you copy the source's sentence _______ too closely.

Copying the unique structure of the original sentence, even if you substitute synonyms for the words, is considered plagiarism.

Explanation

Copying the unique structure of the original sentence, even if you substitute synonyms for the words, is considered plagiarism.

Submit

3. Changing the tense of the verbs (e.g., past to present) is usually enough to make a paraphrase original and avoid plagiarism.

True

False

This is false. Changing only the verb tense does not change the core structure or vocabulary enough to be considered sufficiently original.

Explanation

This is false. Changing only the verb tense does not change the core structure or vocabulary enough to be considered sufficiently original.

4. Original: "Many scientists concluded that the long-term effects of global warming are still largely unknown." Which paraphrase avoids plagiarism?

The scientists concluded that the long-term effects of global warming are still largely unknown.

According to scientists, we still do not know the long-term consequences of global warming.

Many scientists concluded that the lasting effects of global warming are largely unknown still.

We do not know the effects of global warming.

Option B successfully changes the sentence structure, changes the voice, and substitutes synonyms (according to scientists, consequences for effects) to achieve originality.

Explanation

Option B successfully changes the sentence structure, changes the voice, and substitutes synonyms (according to scientists, consequences for effects) to achieve originality.

5. Which techniques, when used alone, are insufficient to avoid plagiarism in a paraphrase? (Select all that apply)

Changing only the first word of the sentence.

Replacing every adjective and adverb with a synonym.

Changing the sentence from active voice to passive voice.

Including an in-text citation.

Changing only the first word (A) or only adjectives/adverbs (B) is insufficient. You must change the core structure and most of the vocabulary.

Explanation

Changing only the first word (A) or only adjectives/adverbs (B) is insufficient. You must change the core structure and most of the vocabulary.

Submit

6. To ensure originality, a writer must try to restate the idea in their own complete _______, not just replace the original author's words.

Developing a unique voice and writing the idea from scratch ensures the resulting paraphrase is truly original.

Explanation

Developing a unique voice and writing the idea from scratch ensures the resulting paraphrase is truly original.

Submit

7. Original: "The Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances among the three branches of the government." Which paraphrase is too close to the source (plagiarized)?

The Constitution creates a system of checks and balances among the three government branches.

The three branches of government have a system of checks and balances established by the Constitution.

The government’s three branches are given a structure of checks and balances by the Constitution.

Option A retains the exact core phrase (system of checks and balances among the three...) and the original sentence structure, making it plagiarized.

Explanation

Option A retains the exact core phrase (system of checks and balances among the three...) and the original sentence structure, making it plagiarized.

8. If a key technical phrase (like "natural selection" or "checks and balances") is essential to the meaning, it is acceptable to keep it in the paraphrase.

True

False

This is true. Specialized terminology or key concepts that cannot be easily reworded should be kept, provided the rest of the sentence is structurally and verbally original.

Explanation

This is true. Specialized terminology or key concepts that cannot be easily reworded should be kept, provided the rest of the sentence is structurally and verbally original.

9. Original: "The virus exhibits a uniquely rapid rate of transmission compared to other seasonal illnesses." Which paraphrase avoids plagiarism and is accurate?

The virus shows a uniquely rapid rate of transmission compared to other illnesses.

This virus is highly infectious and spreads much faster than other seasonal diseases.

Other seasonal illnesses do not spread as quickly as the virus's uniquely rapid rate of transmission.

The rate of transmission is uniquely rapid, and the virus is a seasonal illness.

Option B uses completely new vocabulary (highly infectious, spreads much faster, seasonal diseases) and a simplified structure to convey the same meaning, ensuring originality.

Explanation

Option B uses completely new vocabulary (highly infectious, spreads much faster, seasonal diseases) and a simplified structure to convey the same meaning, ensuring originality.

10. Which statements describe an action that prevents plagiarism in paraphrasing? (Select all that apply)

Rewriting the sentence by starting with the cause instead of the effect.

Using a direct quote for complex sections that you cannot fully reword.

Maintaining the exact word order of the original sentence.

Consulting a dictionary to find synonyms for every major word.

Changing the sentence structure (A) and using synonyms (D) are key strategies. Using a direct quote (B) with quotation marks and a citation is also a necessary, plagiarism-avoiding strategy for difficult sections.

Explanation

Changing the sentence structure (A) and using synonyms (D) are key strategies. Using a direct quote (B) with quotation marks and a citation is also a necessary, plagiarism-avoiding strategy for difficult sections.

Submit

11. The goal of a non-plagiarized paraphrase is not to swap words, but to convey the author's idea as if you were writing it for the _______ time.

This mindset encourages complete structural and verbal originality.

Explanation

This mindset encourages complete structural and verbal originality.

Submit

12. Original: "Exposure to loud noises over a sustained period of time can inevitably damage hearing." Which paraphrase is plagiarized?

Sustained exposure to loud noises can damage hearing inevitably over a long period.

Hearing can be damaged by long-term exposure to loud noises.

Being around loud sounds for a long time will definitely hurt your ability to hear.

You will hurt your ears if you listen to loud sounds constantly.

Option A retains the same word order and structure as the original, only changing sustained to long period and can inevitably to inevitably over a long period, which is insufficient rewriting.

Explanation

Option A retains the same word order and structure as the original, only changing sustained to long period and can inevitably to inevitably over a long period, which is insufficient rewriting.

13. If you paraphrase someone's idea, you do not need a citation because you used your own words.

True

False

This is false. You must cite the source because the idea itself belongs to the original author, even if the words are yours.

Explanation

This is false. You must cite the source because the idea itself belongs to the original author, even if the words are yours.

14. Original: "The ancient Roman roads were so durable that some are still in use today." Which paraphrase avoids plagiarism and is accurate?

The ancient Roman roads were so durable, some are still used today.

Because the roads made by the ancient Romans were built to last, some of them are still functional.

Roman roads were durable, and some are still in use.

Some Roman roads are still in use today because of their great durability.

Option B successfully changes the original structure, uses new phrasing (built to last, still functional), and uses a cause-effect relationship to convey the original meaning.

Explanation

Option B successfully changes the original structure, uses new phrasing (built to last, still functional), and uses a cause-effect relationship to convey the original meaning.

15. A student is trying to paraphrase the phrase "swiftly and immediately." Which of these options would still be considered plagiarized because they are too similar? (Select all that apply)

Rapidly and instantly

Quickly and right away

With speed and without delay

Immediately and quickly

Options A and D are too close because they use direct synonyms in the exact same grammatical format, lacking the necessary structural change.

Explanation

Options A and D are too close because they use direct synonyms in the exact same grammatical format, lacking the necessary structural change.

Submit

16. The ultimate test of a successful, non-plagiarized paraphrase is if the writer can explain the source's idea without looking back at the original text or the _______.

This shows the idea has been fully absorbed and is being restated in the writer's own voice.

Explanation

This shows the idea has been fully absorbed and is being restated in the writer's own voice.

Submit

17. Original: "The majority of the population believed the economic downturn was a temporary blip." Which paraphrase is inaccurate (changes the meaning)?

Most people thought the bad economy was a short-term issue.

The economic downturn was seen by the majority of the population as a short-lived problem.

Most people thought the economic downturn was a long-term, permanent problem.

Most citizens believed the economic situation would improve quickly.

The original says the downturn was temporary (blip). Option C changes this to long-term, permanent problem, reversing the core meaning.

Explanation

The original says the downturn was temporary (blip). Option C changes this to long-term, permanent problem, reversing the core meaning.

18. When paraphrasing, always combine or break up the original sentences to ensure structural originality.

True

False

This is true. Varying the sentence structure (combining or breaking up) is a necessary strategy to guarantee you are not copying the original syntax.

Explanation

This is true. Varying the sentence structure (combining or breaking up) is a necessary strategy to guarantee you are not copying the original syntax.

19. Original: "The experiment was conducted with meticulous attention to detail to ensure the validity of the results." Which paraphrase avoids plagiarism and is accurate?

The experiment was conducted with meticulous attention to detail so that the results would be valid.

The validity of the results was ensured by conducting the experiment with extremely careful attention to detail.

To make sure the results were sound, the experiment was performed with great care and precision.

The experiment had valid results because of the attention to detail.

Option C starts with the purpose, uses synonyms (sound, performed, great care and precision), and completely rephrases the relationship, demonstrating originality.

Explanation

Option C starts with the purpose, uses synonyms (sound, performed, great care and precision), and completely rephrases the relationship, demonstrating originality.

20. Which paraphrases use a technique that helps avoid plagiarism? (Select all that apply)

Paraphrase B: The new law made it mandatory for everyone to file their property records with the government.

Paraphrase C: All citizens had to register their assets with the central government due to the new law.

Paraphrase D: The central government enforced a law that made citizens register their possessions.

Both B and D use extensive synonym substitution and restructuring. B changes the syntax. D changes the focus (passive/active structure). A and C retain too much of the original syntax.

Explanation

Both B and D use extensive synonym substitution and restructuring. B changes the syntax. D changes the focus (passive/active structure). A and C retain too much of the original syntax.

Submit

Academic Integrity: Avoiding Plagiarism in Paraphrasing Quiz